Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC recently switched to a new registration system. If you cannot register, please email me your unofficial transcript and G# and I will provide an override,

If you are on the waitlist, email me and I may be able to give you a capacity override, depending on the situation.

Here is the Winter 2026 syllabus.

Here is the PowerPoint we give CH 223 students to highlight our program is one of the best organic chemistry programs in the state.

You need five main items for this class:

1. Straumanis Guided Inquiry Workbook, 2nd Ed.

   • ISBN: 0-618-97412-1

   • ~$30 new at the PCC bookstore

   • Bring this to every class.

   • Do not buy a used copy with problems already completed. It’s hard to erase and you’ll save only a few dollars.

   • Students using an already-completed workbook will not receive participation credit.

2. Bruice, Organic Chemistry, 9th Edition (comes with Mastering Chemistry - see below)

   • Used for reading assignments and extra practice problems.

   • If you’re unsure about print vs. ebook, you can start with a FREE 14-day Mastering Chemistry trial (which includes the eBook) once I post registration instructions in D2L at the start of the term.

   • I recommend a physical text if you plan to take CH 241–242–243 and/or will need to review for the MCAT or other science programs. Studies show reading paper versus screens is better for retaining information.

   • Buy directly from Pearson to save money—avoid the bookstore for Mastering Chemistry if possible.

3. Modified Mastering Organic Chemistry (MMOC) Online Homework Access Code

   • Do NOT purchase this code from Amazon or other third-party sites.

   • Purchase options (from Pearson):

     • Option 1: eText + 24-month MMOC access – $78

     • Option 2 (highly recommended): eText + print copy + 24-month MMOC access – $81

     • Option 3: eBook + 18-week MMOC access – $50

       • Only suitable if you are taking just one term of organic with me; 18 weeks is not enough for CH 242 and CH 243.

   • You cannot purchase MMOC from Pearson until I finish setting up the course. Once it’s ready, I will post purchasing instructions and the CourseID in D2L for enrolled students.

   • Unlike the CH 221–222–223 series, most options require you to pay once for access that lasts 24 months, which explains the higher upfront cost.

4. Molecular Modeling Kit

   • PCC Bookstore: Mega Molecules Advanced General and Organic Chemistry Model Set

   • SKU 098208694, approx. $21.99

   • Easy to use and has everything needed for organic chemistry.

5. Lab Notebook

   • Please purchase the specific Hayden-McNeil laboratory notebook.

• The course uses a group-work, active-learning format, similar to CH 221–222–223 at PCC Sylvania.

• The Straumanis workbook is central to our in-class activities; I strongly encourage you to read the first few pages before the Week 1 drop deadline to understand how the course works.

• Many students new to active learning take a bit of time to adjust, but they usually find the classes fun, engaging, and more effective than traditional lecture.

• Our CH 243 students score, on average, 10 points higher than the national average on the ACS Organic Chemistry Exam, which speaks to the effectiveness of this approach.

• The course will be available in D2L the weekend before the term starts.

• I will email the class once it is accessible.

I look forward to working with you all!

Ted Picciotto
ted.picciotto@pcc.edu

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